Float tank bulb



N. BECKER FLOAT TANK BULB Feb. 6, 1934.

Filed Sept. 23

INVENTOR Nalhan Decker BY 074f WM ATTORNEYS v Patented Feb. 6, 1934 PATENT OFFICE FLOAT TANK BULB Nathan Becker, New York, N. Y.

Application September 23, 1931 Serial No. 564,522

14 Claims.

My invention relates to balls or bulbs adapted for use for closing the outlet valves of float tanks and ordinarily the device is so formed as to comprise a Web or septum provided with means for engaging a valve seat and with a chamber havin an inlet opening to permit influx of water to substantially fill the chamber and thereby increase the weight of the bulb. The chamber is of variable volume, and the amount of water permitted to enter thereinto may also be varied so as to fit the bulb for use under different conditions of installation. The increased weight improves the action of the bulb in two respects, viz. It increases the certainty with which the bulb drops from its elevated position to close the valve, and it increases the pressure of the bulb upon the valve seat at the time it seats thereon, whereby the bulb is more effectively seated to prevent leakage.

The variability in the weight of the bulb will better adapt to for use under different conditions of rate of water flow and amount of water pressure, as follows: In an installation where the pressure is high and the rate quite rapid, resistance must be provided against the downward rush of water carrying with it the bulb so that the outlet valve is not sealed by the bulb prematurely, before the flushing action is complete. In such case, the volume of the water receiving 80 chamber of the bulb is decreased, so that little or no water is permitted to: enter thereinto, to hamper or interfere with efficient flushing action. In installations where the water flow rate is fairly slow and the pressure low, the weight of the bulb can be increased by permitting more Water to enter thereinto. This additional weight will materially aid the bulb in its sealing action, under the stated conditions.

The invention also includes the formation of a bulb of the type described with a pair of oppositely disposed walls so formed that the bulb by a reversal or movement through an angle of 180 may be used in either of two positions. Such construction is advantageous in that in case the two are adapted to fit the same valve seat, the life of the bulb is prolonged since it may be reversed when unduly worn or distorted at its valve closing end, or preferably by making the two walls of different size or configuration the ball is adapted to be used to close valves having valve seats of different size or configuration.

The invention may be embodied in various forms, some of which are shown, and includes all such modifications thereof as are defined by the claims.

Reference is hereby made to the accompany-- ing drawing of which Figure 1 is aside elevation of a flush tank valve, including seat, bulb and the operating rod and guide, with the bulb in elevated position;

Fig. 2 is a central vertical section on an enlarged scale showing bulb of Fig. 1 seated upon the valve seat;

Fig. 3 is a similar View of another modification, the bulb being seated upon a valve seat; and

Fig. 4 is a similar view of a third modification.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the bulb shown is of suitable yielding material, for example soft. rubber, and comprises a vertically disposed boss or support 6 having seated in its upper and lower ends internally threaded cups 7 preferably of copper. Either of the cups 7 is adapted to receive a metal operating rod 8 which is threaded to engage the thread of said cup. The upper end of said rod is provided with a ball 9 which engages a circular opening in a plate or bent wire 10 by which the bulb is lifted in the usual manner.

The rod 8 with ball 9 by reason of the curvature of said ball in all lateral directions is much more effective in centering the flush tank bulb with respect to the valve seat than is the usual construction of vertical rod with upper end bent to engage the wire 10. The usual guide 11 is preferably provided to insure vertical movement bulb. The upper wall 13 forms a chamber 15 having an opening 16 and the lower wall 14 forms a chamber 17 having an opening 18. A dished plate 19 is threaded on the rod 8 in contact with the upper wall 13 and is provided with perforations or apertures 20 which permit the influx of water into the chamber 15 which fills the same. Plate 19 is adapted to be adjusted on the threaded rod 8 in such manner that the volume of the chamber 15 can be varied, for the purposes set forth above. Such body of water as is retained in the chamber during the emptying of the tank increases the weight of the bulb and causes the bulb to center with more certainty and accuracy than an air-filled hollow bulb. A bend is provided, preformed in the walls of the seating portions of the bulb, creating an air cushion shoulder around the base of the seating portion, adjacent the web, so that as the bulb drops upon the valve seat 21, a perfect seal of the valve outlet is obtained. After the bulb has been seated, the weight 01' the bulb itself, plus the weight of the conical upper wall 130 with opening 160 and coniclaim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

eter than when the bulb is reversed to cause the.

Wall 13 to engage a valve seat.

The bulb shown in Fig. 3 is reversible and is adapted fer use for closing either a valvehaving aseat of the type of Figs. 1 and 2 or one having the type of seat shown in'Fig. 3.

This bulb has a base 6b with upper and. lower threaded cups '7, and a horizontal web 1'2bQArif integral upper wall 131) with opening 16b forms An integral flange" 14bsurrounds the pipe 'or valve seat 2lb when" a water receiving chamber.

the bulb is seated as shown. When the bulb is used in an inverted position the 'flange lfib! acts as the wall of a'shallow water containing chamher to increase the weight of the' bulb' when the,

tank is empty. V

The bulbrof Fig.4 is similar to that of Fig. l but difiers therefrom in that the upper and lower walls are of conical form. This bulbcomprise'sfa base 60, horizontal Web 120, threadedicups 7,

cal lower wall 140 with opening 180] It may be used in the position shown to fit a small valve seat, or in an inverted position to fit a larger seat. Having thus described my invention what' I 1. A reversible floattank bulb comprising a web transverse to its axis, and on either sidejof said web an apertured flexible wall adapted to act either as seat engaging means or to enclose a water receiving chamber, said web being provided.

with oppositely facing means for thereto of bulb operating means.

2. The device ofclaim l in whichtheflexible walls are integral with the web. l

3; The device of claim l in which the flexible the securing walls difier from each other in configuration to adapt them form. 4. A float tank bulb comprising a'fiexible memto coact with valve seats of different.

: ber providedwith means for securing .a 'rod'there to, and flexible cup portions above andbelc-wf fs'aid, flexible member, each of said cup portions hav ing an opening remote from said fiexiblemember. in whichfbulb oppositely disposedrod securing means are so placed as to permitthe device to'be' 1 used in either of two positions onefof. which fi inverted with respect, t the 5. A float tank bulb comprising a flexible member provided with means for securing a rod thereto, and flexible cup portions above and below said flexible member, each of said cup portions having an opening remote from said flexible member, in which bulb the cup portions are of difierent sizes and adapted to cooperate with valve seats of different size.

6. A,L,fioat tank bulb comprising a web transverse to the axis of said bulb, seat engaging portions above and below said web, and rod engaging means on said web.

A float tank bulb comprising a web transverse tofth e axis of said bulb, seat engaging portions'iaboveand below said web and rod engaging means on said web, certain of said seat engaging portions having .an opening therein to allow accessflw H aid rodengaging means.

'8. A float tank bulb as in claim '7, in which the seat engaging portions are of different character topooperatewith seats of dii ferent character.

1. oat' k illldfeomi r s ne opn sinslseat engagingportions and water retaining chambers, andlan intermediate web portion, having integral} ly formed therewith rod engaging means.

10.;In; a float tank bulb as in claim 9', one of saidjs'eat eng'agingportions comprising the said, web 'portion'anda shoulder extending downward er fr m '11, A: reversible float tank bulb comprisingfla web transverse'ltoits axis, yielding seat engag-j ing, means above ar d below Said webf'and a water} retaining'chamber above and belowfsaid Web, said, web being provided with oppositely facing v means for the secui'ing thereto of bulb operating means} 12. 'The devi ce of claim 11, in, which the seat engaging mea 1 is comprises the said web 'and, a

deli idin'g flexiblawall fo'rmed with an opening at its lower edge."

13. Afloat tank ,bulb, comprising a transverse web provided with. means' r01 securing a rod thereto,'an d flexible cup portions above and.b.e-. saidweb, each of said cup portions having an, opening remote r'mm said web an'dfbeing 'pro-, g i ha re med be d i r in fini s air: pq'ck' t should r ndin herear und ada ed to more .eijectivelyen'gage andseal an ioutlets] versej tothefaxisof said bulb, seat 'engaging'portions above and below saidfwgb} rodiengaging means o 'saidfweb, and. alb'end providedin' said at. n agi i5 onsjdefinine an irenocket hQ lQe T xie j in lf rearoundfa nted to.inio e.

effectively engage and seal tankoutlets."

BECKE 

